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News Article Release

Mids at Work: Midshipman 1st Class Francheska Soto

Posted on: March 01, 2013 08:00 EST by Naval Academy Public Affairs

Every week, we’ll give be giving you a glimpse of how the midshipmen leadership within the brigade manages their time and stays on top of their many commitments. Take a look at some of the tips, tricks and gadgetry used by our awesome mids to get things done and motivate others.

Name: Francheska Soto

Brigade Position: Brigade Training Officer

Current Mobile Device: iPhone 4

Current Computer: DELL desktop with Windows 7

One word that describes how you work: Diligently

What apps/software/tools can’t you live without? E-mail

What do you listen to while you work?

Math or science work= Sara Bareilles

Reading= Mumford and Sons

Brigade Training Work= Any music

(All on Pandora music website)

How do you prioritize what to study? I prioritize by examining a combination of the earliest due date with what time commitments are most ambiguous. So if I am unsure of how long a problem set will take me I often do that first to ensure I have enough time to finish it.

How do you motivate your peers? Lead by example. Peers don’t trust anyone who is unable to live by what they preach. Empathize with people’s concerns. Once others see that you care about their welfare, they are motivated to work with/for you and for themselves.

What’s your best time-saving shortcut? Honestly, waiting until the night before to get work done. This tactic adds pressure, and an immediately impending due date motivates me to finish my work in a timely fashion. I try to no longer kid myself that I will finish work early if I start it early.

What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever received? Elite talent needs elite goals. Colonel Venable, USAF (retired) said something along these lines at this past Leadership Conference. There are many elite men and women at this school, and if they are not given elite goals to live up to, then they will live down to a lower standard. If you are not moving forward you are moving back because the rest of the world is leaving you behind; there is no such thing as staying stagnant.

What every day thing are you better at than anyone else? Keeping a smile on my face. It makes me feel better and others feel better.